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An important consideration when keeping fish is ensuring a clean environment in the aquarium. This means periodic cleaning of the tank to remove foreign matter. Substances such as fish waste and food tend to dissolve in water, creating an imbalance in the aquatic environment. A hang-on-back protein skimmer<\/a> can be a useful tool in keeping your tank clean \u2013 and a worthy investment.<\/p>\n Unlike inorganic materials, removing organic material is not always so easy. The only effective way of clearing organic material is with a hang-on-back protein skimmer. This guide will go over everything you need to know about hang-on-back protein skimmers and how to choose the best one for your needs.<\/p>\n Our top choice is the Coral Vue Technology BH-1000 Octopus<\/a> protein skimmer. The protein skimmer effectively cleans harmful bacteria, debris, and most other potentially dangerous debris out of the aquarium.<\/p>\n Comparatively, the Coral Vue BH-1000 is a top performer and relatively inexpensive given its features.<\/p>\n \t\t<\/p>\n \t\t<\/p>\n \t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t As mentioned, a protein skimmer purifies your aquarium by cleaning out the organic components. The skimmer, also known as a foam fractionator, helps maintain a healthy environment for your coral and fish by removing organic waste present in water. Organic waste material typically includes fish waste and unconsumed fish food that can promote toxic water environments, algae growth, and an increased risk of fish disease and infection. Check out our guide to non-HOB skimmers<\/a> and nano skimmers<\/a>.<\/p>\n As the name suggests, a protein skimmer \u2018skims\u2019 protein out of your aquarium\u2019s water. HOB protein skimmers have two main components; the pump and the impeller. These two components are the chief drivers of the protein skimmer.<\/p>\n If you notice continuous bubble formation in your aquarium, don\u2019t panic, your skimmer is in perfect working condition. The pump and impeller create bubbles which then attract waste in the aquarium. The bubbles then float to the protein skimmer chamber, where they burst, and the waste collects in the cup.<\/p>\n Some skimmers have additional features that create the bubbles faster, cleaning your fish tank more efficiently.<\/p>\n It is not mandatory to install a HOB protein skimmer in your aquarium since you can periodically change the water<\/a> to maintain a clean environment. However, having a HOB protein skimmer is very helpful since it delivers numerous benefits to you and your fish and reduces how often you have to do water changes and full tank cleanings.<\/p>\n In a natural environment, the level of nitrates and phosphates is relatively low<\/a> and is controlled by other organisms. However, when fish are in an enclosed habitat, the levels tend to rise, signaling the need for a water change.<\/p>\n When uneaten fish food collects in water, it breaks down, and the components rise and form a layer above the water surface. If the water filter fails to work, the layer on the water surface may affect the movement of oxygen in the water. Also, unconsumed fish food tends to break down in the tank resulting in the production of nitrate and phosphate<\/a>, leading to a further reduction of oxygen.<\/p>\n Additionally, it is difficult to tell when nitrate levels in your aquarium are high without doing frequent water tests. Nitrates<\/a> are naturally present in water, but the concentration can quickly get out of hand and become dangerous to your fish. A HOB protein skimmer is great for keeping your fish healthy and preventing you from having to test your water daily.<\/p>\n Generally, dissolved organics are soluble organic materials<\/a> present in tanks due to the partial decomposition of organic matter. Dissolved organics can be beneficial or detrimental to the living organisms in your tank, including the fish, beneficial bacteria, and the reef itself.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n These dissolved organics are protein sources that cause the levels of nitrates to rise in the tank, so keeping them in check is paramount to maintaining the health of your tank.<\/p>\n With multiple options in the market, narrowing your choice down to the right HOB protein skimmer may not be as easy as it seems at first. However, our reviews below should help you choose the one that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s best for your needs.<\/p>\n \t\t<\/p>\n \t\t<\/p>\n \t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t The CoralVue Technology BH-1000 is a compact model that fits well in small or tight spaces. Made of high-grade acrylic, this HOB protein skimmer is compatible with tanks up to 100 gallons. In addition, the skimmer\u2019s pump hangs on the tank\u2019s exterior and doesn\u2019t affect the water temperature when functioning.<\/p>\n While other HOB protein skimmers are hard to clean, you can dismantle the Coral Vue skimmer quickly, making cleaning less of a hassle.<\/p>\n Installing a Coral Vue skimmer is relatively easy. The package comes with an instruction manual that gives a step-by-step installation process.<\/p>\n A downside to this skimmer is that it produces a continuous humming sound when running. If you\u2019re a light sleeper, you should consider placing the aquarium away from the area where you sleep.<\/p>\n Pros<\/strong><\/p>\n Cons<\/strong><\/p>\n \t\t<\/p>\n \t\t<\/p>\n \t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t A popular HOB protein skimmer is the Reef Octopus BH90. The model features a minimal design measuring 8 x 3 x 7 inches. The Reef Octopus BH90 is ideal for homes since it can support up to 105 gallons of water and hangs on the inside of the aquarium, making it practical for small spaces.<\/p>\n The skimmer features an Aquatrance 1000 pump that is built-in and is easy to set up. The pump helps maximize the amount of oxygen in your tank, which is essential for fish health. This way, you don\u2019t need to have live plants in your aquarium if you have a large fish population.<\/p>\n Also, due to the pump\u2019s high level of efficiency, waste accumulation in the collection cup occurs more often than other HOB skimmers.<\/p>\n While some protein skimmers produce a noise when filtering, the Reef Octopus features an air silencer that makes it run almost entirely silently. The protein skimmer also has a larger collection cup for holding more waste.<\/p>\n Being an external skimmer, the Reef Octopus provides you with more room for your fish to swim.<\/p>\n Pros<\/strong><\/p>\n Cons<\/strong><\/p>\n \t\t<\/p>\n \t\t<\/p>\n \t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t Weighing five pounds and offering a capacity range of 65 to 220 gallons, the Coralife Super Skimmer is an inexpensive and effective HOB skimmer to have. The skimmer comes with an air pump and can be installed in reef or standard saltwater tanks.<\/p>\n You can place the skimmer inside a sump or have it hanging freely. The brackets are flexible to allow skimmer installation both internally and externally. Therefore, regardless of your tank\u2019s design, this skimmer will fit seamlessly.<\/p>\n For effective removal of dissolved organics, this skimmer contains a needle-wheel impeller which creates a vortex inside the water that effectively removes any contaminants. In addition, the vortex creates more bubbles in the tanks, which leads to a faster and more efficient collection of organic compounds.<\/p>\n The Coralife super skimmer also features a wide collection cup for ease of foam production. Also, the collection cup has an \u2018easy twist\u2019 mode, which makes it easy to screw off. You don\u2019t have to worry about making a mess when removing the cup.<\/p>\n Thanks to the dual injection inlets and the energy-efficient motor, the skimmer has a silent run.<\/p>\n Pros<\/strong><\/p>\n Cons<\/strong><\/p>\n \t\t<\/p>\n \t\t<\/p>\n \t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t If you have a 40 to 60-gallon fish tank, this is probably the ideal HOB protein skimmer for you. This protein skimmer uses a pump to move water from your tank into three different chambers for proper cleaning.<\/p>\n The Macro Aqua skimmer also has a needle-to-wheel impeller which increases the amount of oxygen in the tank by blowing more bubbles than most other models. This feature cleans up your tank at a faster rate. The skimmer\u2019s water flow is also faster at a rate of 238 gallons every hour. This means if you have a 40-gallon tank, the skimmer will filter the water about six times every hour.<\/p>\n The skimmer is made of plastic and is highly sturdy. The skimmer also features an easily removable collection cup for an easy cleaning process.<\/p>\n Pros<\/strong><\/p>\n Cons<\/strong><\/p>\n \t\t<\/p>\n \t\t<\/p>\n \t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\nBest Hang-on-Back Protein Skimmer Options:<\/h2>\n
What is the Best Hang-On-Back Protein Skimmer?<\/h2>\n
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How Do HOB Protein Skimmers Work?<\/h2>\n
Do I Really Need a Hang-on Back Protein Skimmer?<\/h2>\n
What are Dissolved Organics in a Reef Aquarium?<\/h2>\n
Best Hang-on Back Protein Skimmer Options<\/h2>\n
1. Coral Vue Technology BH-1000 Octopus with External 1000 Pump, 100 Gallon<\/a><\/h3>\n
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2. Reef Octopus BH90 Hang on Protein Skimmer<\/a><\/h3>\n
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3. Coralife Super Skimmer with Pump, up to 220 Gallons<\/a><\/h3>\n
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4. Macro Aqua M-50 Mini Hang-on External Protein Skimmer, 60 Gallon<\/a><\/h3>\n
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5. AquaMaxx HOB-1.5 Hang-On-Back Protein Skimmer<\/a><\/h3>\n
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